Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Installing Gutter Guards

While gutter guards have been around for quite awhile, many homeowners haven't installed them on their gutters because they don't realize how important they are. Because they help prevent leaves, debris and dirt from accumulating in gutters, guards help ensure that rain and melted snow will be able to flow freely away from your roofing and away from the foundation of the house. When installed properly, gutter shields can add years to the life of your roofing and gutters, but many people make mistakes along the way when trying to add them themselves.

Don't Assume One Size Fits All

Many homeowners assume that all gutters are the same size and pick whatever system is available at a low price. When they get home, they notice that the fit isn't quite right and then try to force the guttershields into place on their home. It never works properly and an improper fit can dramatically shorten the life of your gutters and lead to roof damage.

Don't Lift Your Roofing

While it may seem like a good idea to lift the lower edge of the shingles or tiles along the bottom edge of your roofing so that you can tuck the lip of the guard beneath it, avoid the temptation. You'll actually be doing more harm than good because you'll be compromising the water barrier that's already in place.

Don't Nail Them To Your Roof

Another temptation many do-it-yourself homeowners face is the need to nail everything into place, including gutter protection. Unfortunately, this always leads to problems that can become expensive. Regardless of whether you try to nail the guards over top of the shingles or beneath their edge, you're damaging the waterproof barrier of your roofing, which can lead to leaks that will damage not only the roof, but your interior studs and eventually the interior walls.

Remember To Attach Them To Your Gutters

We've already outlined what you shouldn't do when you're performing your own installation, but now we'll talk about what you must do to get optimal protection from your gutter guards. Although they should never be attached in any way to the roofing of your home, they do need to be fastened properly to the gutters themselves. Most systems come with the appropriate fasteners and detailed instructions on how to properly attach them. Follow these directions carefully to ensure they are attached firmly without over-tightening the brackets.

Don't Damage Your Roofing Or Gutters

It's fine to be enthusiastic when adding the protection of gutter guards to your home, but homeowners often get "on a roll" when completing a DIY project and end up inadvertently damaging their gutters by changing their angle, over-tightening fasteners or simply neglecting a step in the installation process. Any of these mistakes can lead to problems that will eventually damage your house.

Installing a gutter protection system isn't an easy project. In addition to keeping the above considerations in mind, you'll need to have the proper tools and be willing to stand on a ladder for long stretches of time, which can be tedious and dangerous. To avoid the hassle and potential problems of a DIY project, talk to local roofing contractors and get an estimate for the installation of gutter guards. In most cases, the cost will be well worth the investment and free up your weekend for something much more enjoyable.